Comments: NASCAR Picks for Infineon

For the first time in 2013, Cup drivers will be making both left and right turns when the series heads to Sonoma Raceway this weekend. The 10-turn, 1.99-mile track is known as the more technically challenging of the two road course venues. With uphill and downhill snaking sections capped by a hard right-hand turn, drivers must be precise with both their braking and shifting in order to tackle Sonoma. Drivers must also time their passing attempts properly because there are only so many areas on the track where gaining positions can be done with any type of ease. Throw in fuel mileage strategy, and road racing is definitely one of the more unique challenges drivers face.

Of course, building a fantasy lineup for a road course can be challenge, as well. Certain drivers that are mediocre options most weeks are actually some of the best road racers and vice versa. Meanwhile, owners also have to decide whether or not to take a chance on any of the road course ringers that often land rides with some of the smaller team for these events. History says that series regulars are more reliable, but there is some upside with the road ringers. The beauty of a road course event is that owners can choose to be as aggressive or conservative as they want to be when picking their drivers because there are a lot of lineup variations that can be effective at a road course.